Kittens have a higher chance of being infected by the disease, which can be spread to humans when an infected cat licks a person’s open wound

The bacteria, known as Bartonella henselae, is picked up by a cat from flea bites or droppings getting into their wounds.

It is then spread when the cat licks a person’s open wound or bites or scratches hard enough to break the surface of the skin.

Warnings have now been released that the side effects of the disease are getting worse with 12,000 Americans being diagnosed with the disease and suffering from fever, fatigue, headaches and swollen lymph nodes.

RELATED STORIES

AXED OFF THE BEACH

Jemma Lucy is kicked off Ex On The Beach after vicious catfight with Kayleigh over Ashley Cain

CAT KILLER 'STRIKES AGAIN'

Fears the notorious 'Croydon Cat Killer' has struck again after another headless moggy found